[Offbeat Graduation Speech Get Standing Ovation: 2012ko Batxilergoko hizlaria Pennsylvaniako Unibertsitatean ezohiko aukera bat izan zen Ivy Leagueko eskola batentzat. Lizentziatu berriei zuzenduta, karrera liluragarrietara jotzeko asmoz, helduen bizitzan inoiz lanpostu bat eskatu ez duen gizon bat aukeratu zuten. Ia hamarkada batean soldataren truke lan egin ez duen gizona, eta bere eginkizuna "munduari irribarreak eta bihotzari isiltasuna ematea" besterik ez duena. Radarz kanpoko hizlari honek bere helbidea abiarazi zuen aholku harrigarri batekin. Indiako herrietan zehar 1.000 km-ko oinezko erromesalditik jasotako lau informazio gakoekin jarraituz. Graduazio Eguneko hitzaldi paregabea itxi zuenean, txapel eta jantzidun ikasleen itsasoa oinetan altxatu zen txalo zaparrada baten ondorioz. Jarraian, Nipun Mehtaren hitzaldiaren transkripzio osoa da. --DailyGood Editors]
Eskerrik asko nire lagun entzutetsuei, Amy Gutmann presidenteari, Vincent Price prebosteari eta Charles Howard apezari, momentu alai honetan gogoeta batzuk partekatzera gonbidatzeagatik. Ohore eta pribilegio bat da zu zoriontzea -- UPenn-en 2012ko klasea.
Oraintxe zuetako bakoitza aireratzeko prest dagoen bizitzaren pistan eserita zaude. Munduko dohaintasun handieneko, elitezko eta bultzatutako unibertsitateko tituludunetako batzuk zarete, eta, zalantzarik gabe, hegan egiteko prest zaude. Beraz, jarraian esango dudana zoro samarra izan daiteke. Eskatu nahi zaitut, ez hegan egiteko, baizik eta – ibiltzeko . Duela lau urte, goi mailako ikaskuntzako laborategi zoragarri honetan sartu zinen. Gaur, buruak gora, diplomak jasotzera ibiltzen zara. Bihar, aukera infinituko mundu batean sartuko zara.
Baina ibiltzea, gure abiadura handiko munduan, zoritxarrez, alde egin du. "Oinezkoa" hitza bera zerbait arrunta eta arrunta deskribatzeko erabiltzen da. Hala ere, intentzioz ibiltzeak sustrai sakonak ditu. Australiako gazte aborigenak paseo-errito gisa ibiltzen dira; Amerikako tribu natiboek basamortuan ikusmen bilaketak egiten dituzte; Europan, mendeetan zehar, jendeak Espainiaren zabalera hartzen duen Santiago Bidean ibili da. Horrelako erromesek oin bat bestearen aurrean tinko jartzen dute, unibertsoaren erritmoekin eta beren bihotzen kadentziarekin bat egiteko.
2005ean, gure ezkontzatik sei hilabetera, nire emazteak eta biok geure buruari "aurrera egitea" erabaki genuen eta oinezko erromeria bat egitea erabaki genuen. ServiceSpace- rekin egindako ahaleginen gailurrean, gure munduko arrakasta alde batera uzteko eta egia goragoak bilatzeko gaitasunik ba ote genuen galdetu genuen. Inoiz pentsatu al duzu zerbait eta gero jakin besterik ez duzu gertatu behar zela? Gauza horietako bat zen. Beraz, gure ondasun garrantzitsu guztiak saldu genituen, eta Indiarako joan-etorri bakarra erosi genuen. Gure asmoa Mahatma Gandhiren ashramera joatea zen, beti izan baitzen inspirazio bat guretzat, eta gero Hegoaldera ibiltzea. Bien artean, eguneko dolar bat aurreikusten genuen, batez ere gorabeherak egiteko; horrek esan nahi zuen gure bizirauteko ezezagunen adeitasunaren mende egon behar genuela erabat. Eskaintzen zitzaigun janaria jaten genuen eta lekua eskaintzen zen tokian lo egiten genuen.
Orain, esan beharra daukat, horrelako ideiak abisu batekin datozela: ez probatu etxean, zure bikotekideak agian ez baitu ongi etorri mota honetako eztei-bidaia. :-)
Guretzat, ibilaldi hau erromeria bat izan zen, eta gure helburua gure egoak baino espazio handiago batean egotea zen, eta erruki horrek bide horretan gidoirik gabeko zerbitzu-ekintzetan gidatzen gintuen. Gure erosotasun-gunetik eta ohitutako identitateetatik erabat kenduta, oraindik "erreala mantendu" al genezake? Hori zen gure erronka.
Hiru hilabetetan 1000 kilometro egin genituen. Garai hartan, giza izaerako onena eta txarrena topatu genuen, ez besteengan bakarrik, baita gure baitan ere.
Erromeria amaitu eta gutxira, nire osabak afari-mahaian milioi dolarreko galdera egin zuen kasualitatez: "Beraz, Nipun, zer ikasi duzu ibilaldi honetatik?" Ez nekien nondik hasi. Baina bat-batean, akronimo bat etorri zitzaidan burura -- IBILALDIA-- , ikasitako funtsezko ikasgaiak biltzen zituena, eta berriro ikasten jarraitzen dugu, gaur arte. Zure bidaiaren hurrengo fasea hasten duzunean, pepita horiek partekatu nahi ditut zure bidea modu txiki batean argituko dizun itxaropenarekin.
W in WALK lekukoa da. Ibiltzen zarenean, literalki gehiago ikusten duzu. Zure ikusmen-eremua ia 180 gradukoa da, 62 mph-ra bidaiatzen duzunean 40 gradukoarekin alderatuta. Abiadura handiagoek gure ikusmen periferikoa zikintzen dute, oinez ibiltzeak zure mihisea zabaltzen du eta arretaren objektuak izugarri aldatzen ditu. Esaterako, gure erromerian, egunero egunsentia nabaritzen genuen, eta nola, ilunabarrean, txoriak elkartzen ziren euren festa txiki baterako. Facebookeko lagunak sarean gehitu beharrean, pertsonan lagunak egiten ari ginen, askotan "chai" bero baten gainean. Gure inguruko bizitzak modu berri batean bizitu ziren .
Oinezko erritmoa komunitatearen abiadura da. Abiadura handiek bereizketa errazten dutenean, erritmo motelak komunikatzeko aukera ematen digu.
Indiako landa eremua orduko pare bat kilometroko abiaduran zeharkatu ahala, argi geratu zen zenbat ikasi genezakeen herriko biztanleen bizimoduaren lekukotasuna emanez. Beraien buru-eredu osoa ezberdina da: nahien biderkatzea giza beharren oinarrizko betetzearekin ordezkatzen da. Gero eta gauza gehiago eskatzeaz arduratzen ez zarenean; orduan ematen dena hartu eta hartutakoa eman. Bizitza sinplea da berriro. Nekazari batek honela azaldu digu: "Ezin duzu hodeiek euri gehiago egin, ezin duzu eguzkia gutxiago egin. Naturaren opariak besterik ez dira - hartu edo utzi".
Inguruko gauzak opari gisa ikusten direnean, jada ez dira helbururako bitartekoak; bitarteko eta helburua dira. Eta horrela, behi-artzain batek bere animaliak zainduko ditu aita baten errukiz, herriko emakume batek 3 ordu itxarongo du atzeratutako autobus bati haserrearen arrastorik gabe, haurrak ordu asko igaroko ditu galaxiako izarrek liluratuta, eta kosmos zabalean bere lekua aurkitzen.
Beraz, gaur egungo tresna modernizatuak eskura dituzunez, ez utzi zeure buruari ahanztura handitzen A puntutik B puntura bizitzako autobideetan; saiatu munduaren atzeko bideetan ibiltzen, non izaki bizidun guztiekiko lotura sakonezina izango duzuen lekuko.
A in WALK-ek Onartu esan nahi du. Horrela ibiltzean, unibertsoaren ahurrean kokatzen zara, eta bere errealitateei aurre egiten diozu buru-belarri. Uda gailurrean ibili ginen, 120 gradutik gorako tenperatura gupidagabeetan. Batzuetan goseak, nekatuak eta baita frustratuak ere. Gure gorputzak ur edari gehigarri hori, itzalean une batzuk gehiago edo giza adeitasunaren txinparta txiki hori besterik ez zuen. Askotan jaso genuen gehigarri hori, eta gure bihotzak esker onez gainezka egiten zuen. Baina batzuetan bat-batean uko egiten ziguten, eta unerik gogorrenetan ere ezkutuan zeuden dohainak onartzeko gaitasuna landu behar izan genuen.
Gogoan dut halako egun bat, errepide antzu batetik atseden-etxera hurbildu ginenean. Kamioi astunak pasatzen ari zirela, kartel bat ikusi genuen, gonbidatuak doan hartu zirela iragartzen zuena. «A, gure zorte eguna», pentsatu genuen poz-pozik. Irrikaz sartu nintzen barrura. Mahaiaren atzean zegoen gizonak begiratu zuen eta zorrotz galdetu zuen: "Hemen al zara tenplua ikusteko?" Nire ezpainetatik baietz soil batek berehala otordu osoa eta gauerako gela bat emango liguke. Baina ez zen egia izango. Horren ordez, esan nion: "Beno, teknikoki, ez jauna. Oinezko erromesaldian gaude pertsona hobeak izateko. Baina pozik egongo ginateke tenplua bisitatzea". Bat-batean, erantzun zuen: "Um, barkatu, ezin zaitugu ostatu hartu". Haren harrokeria laburrean zerbaitek emozio negatibo ugari eragin zituen. Ohar laino bat egin nahi nuen bueltan, eta atea kolpatu nahi nuen irteeran. Horren ordez, nire ego amorratuari eutsi nion. Neke fisiko eta mentaleko egoera hartan, zeregin herkulear bat bezala sentitu zen, baina barne-nahasmenduaren bidez ahots bat azaleratu zen, momentu honetako errealitatea onartzeko esanez.
Metamorfosi isil bat zegoen nire baitan. Umilki nire defentsak alde batera utzi, nire patua onartu nuen egun hartan, eta zurrumurrurik gabe alde egiteko itzuli nintzen. Beharbada mostradorearen atzean dagoen gizonak aldaketa hori sumatu zuen nigan, orduantxe oihukatu baitzuen: "Beraz, zer egiten ari zara berriro?" Nire azalpen laburren ondoren esan zuen: "Begira, ezin zaitut jaten edo ostatu hartu, arauak arauak direlako. Baina atzealdean komunak daude. Gizonezkoen komunetik kanpo lo egin dezakezu eta zure emazteak emakumezkoen komunetik kanpo lo egin dezake". Jatorra zen arren, bere eskaintza gatza bezala sentitu zen nire zaurietan. Onartzea beste aukerarik ez genuen izan.
Egun hartan barau egin genuen eta gau hartan, komunen ondoan lo egin genuen. Gezur txiki batek hobekuntza bat erosi ahal zigun, baina hori ez zen erromeria izango. Emaztearengandik bereizten ninduen horma batek lotara joan nintzenean, bi alde ezberdinetatik mendi tontorrera igotzen ari den bikote baten ikuspen eder hau izan nuen. Igoera zail honen erdian, gizonak amore ematea pentsatu zuenean, txolarre txiki bat hegan joan zen aholku honekin: "Ez utzi orain, laguna. Zure emaztea irrikaz dago goian zu ikusteko". Eskalatzen jarraitu zuen. Handik egun batzuetara, emaztea uzteko zorian aurkitu zenean, txolarretxoa mezu berarekin agertu zen. Pausoz pauso, maitasunak eutsi zion mendi tontorrerainoko bidaiari. Ikuspegi honen grazia puntualak bisitatuta, esker oneko malko batzuk isuri nituen, eta istorio hau ukitu-harri bihurtu zen gure harremanean ez ezik, beste hainbat adiskidetasun noblean ere.
Beraz, berdintasuna lantzera eta bizitzak magalean botatzen duen guztia onartzera animatzen zaitut; hori egiten duzunean, denbora guztian gordetzeko duzun barne-eraldaketa baten ikuskera izango duzu.
WALK-en L-ak Maitasuna adierazten du. Naturatik zenbat eta gehiago ikasi eta kanpoko zirkunstantziaren aurrean barneko erresilientzia moduko bat eraikitzen genuen, orduan eta gehiago erortzen ginen gure egoera naturalean, maitagarria izan behar zena. Gure paradigma nagusian, Hollywood-ek maltzurki hartu du hitza, baina hemen hitz egiten ari naizen maitasuna gauza bakarra dakien maitasun mota da -- katerik gabe ematea. Soilki. Desinteresaturik.
Gehienok uste dugu emateko, lehenik zerbait emateko behar dugula. Horren arazoa zera da, daukagunaren balantzea egiten ari garenean, ia beti kontabilitate-akatsak egiten ditugula. Oscar Wildek esan zuen behin: "Gaur egun, jendeak badaki guztiaren prezioa, baina ezeren balioa". Ahaztu zaigu nola baloratzen diren gauzak preziorik gabe. Hori dela eta, gure opari ugarienetara iristen garenean --arreta, ikuspegia, errukia, esaterako-- haien balioa nahasten dugu, ondo, preziorik ez dutelako.
Gure erromesaldi ibilaldian, gutxien zutenak preziorik gabekoak ohoratzeko errazen prestatuta zeudela ohartu ginen. Hiri-hirietan, topatzen genuen jendea esan gabeko kontuz hasi zen: "Zergatik egiten duzu hau? Zer nahi duzu nigandik?" Landan , berriz, herrikoek ia beti ezagutzen gintuzten bihotz zabaleko jakin-min batekin zuzenean abiatzen zitzaigun: "Aizu lagun, ez duzu bertakoa dirudi. Zein da zure istorioa?"
Herrietan, zure balioa ez zen zure bisita txartelak, sare profesionalak edo soldatak ebaluatzen. Berezko sinpletasun horrek bizitza maitatzeko eta bere lotura guztiak estimatzeko aukera eman zien.
Herritar txiroek, beren bazkariak ordaindu ere egin ezin zituztenak, maileguan maileguan hartzen zuten auzokideengandik janaria gu jateko. Uko egiten saiatzen ginenean, besterik gabe azalduko zuten: "Guretzat, gonbidatua Jainkoa da. Hau da zure baitan dagoen jainkozkoari, elkarren artean lotzen gaituen eskaintza". Orain, nola liteke horri uko egin? Kaleko saltzaileek askotan barazkiak oparitzen zizkiguten; oso momentu hunkigarri batean, besorik gabeko fruta-saltzaile bat sandia xerra bat ematen tematu zen behin. Denak, zenbat urte izan arren, poz-pozik egongo ziren guri jarraibideak emateaz, nahiz eta guztiz ziur ez egon. :) Eta oraindik gogoan dut oso egarri genuenean ura eskuzabal eman zigun emakumea -- gerora 10 kilometro oinez egin behar zituela goizeko 4etan ur ontzi hori lortzeko. Jende haiek bazekiten ematen, ez asko zutelako, bizitza maitatzen jakin zutelako baizik. Ez zuten inolako kreditu edo ziurtasunik behar itzultzeko inoiz itzuliko zinela. Baizik eta, ordainketa-ematearen zirkuluan fidatzen ziren.
Modu honetan bizitzen zarenean, konturatuko zara benetako eskuzabaltasuna ez dela hasten zerbait emateko zerbait duzunean, baizik eta zure baitan hartu nahi duen ezer ez dagoenean. Beraz, zure une preziatu guztiak bizitza maitagarriaren adierazpen bihurtuko dituzula espero dut.
Eta azkenik, WALK-en Know Thyself esan nahi du.
Jakintsuek aspaldi jakinarazi digute besteei baldintzarik gabe zerbitzatzen diegunean, nigandik gugana pasatzen garela eta bestearekin sakonago konektatzen garela. Interkonexioen matrize horrek lasaitasun mentalaren kalitate sakona ahalbidetzen du. Olatuek edo uhinek nahasirik ez duten aintzira geldi baten antzera, orduan argi ikusteko gai gara nor garen eta nola bizi gaitezkeen gure inguruko ingurunearekin harmonia sakonean.
Oin bat ibiltzen denean, besteak atseden hartzen du. Egitea eta izatea orekan egon behar dute.
Gure adimen arrazionalak aurrerapena behar bezala ziurtatu nahi du, baina gure adimen intuitiboak ere espazioa behar du azaleratzen, ezezagun eta planifikatu gabekoa ager dadin. Garrantzitsua da egitea, zalantzarik gabe, baina gure barneko ekosistemaz jabetzen ez garenean, gure plan eta ekintzetan hain barneratzen gara, non ez baitugu antzematen buruko hondakinen pilaketa. Denborarekin, barne zarata inkontziente hori gure motibazioak, gure etika eta gure izpiritua kutsatzen hasten da. Eta, beraz, funtsezkoa da gogoa geldiaraztea. Doinu bat, azken finean, noten arteko isiltasunarekin soilik sor daiteke.
Ibili ahala -- lekuko, onartu, maitatu -- gure munduaren ikuspegia argiago joan zen. Argitasun horrek, paradoxikoki nahikoa, lausotu egin zituen gure arteko aurreko bereizketak ni eta gu, barne eraldaketa versus kanpoko eragina eta berekoitasuna versus desinteresamendua. Ezinbestean lotuta zeuden. Nekazari txiro batek tomate bat oparitu zidanean, malkoak begietatik behera, jasotzen ala ematen ari nintzen? Orduak meditazio isilean eserita egonda, nirea bakarrik al zen onura ala mundura zabalduko zen? Belar-pila bat agure baten burutik altxatu eta kilometro batez eraman nuenean, zerbitzatzen ari nintzen ala neure burua zerbitzatzen ari nintzen?
Hau da, ez bakarrik bizitzatik pasa, hazi bizitzatik. Erraza eta tentagarria izango da erantzun erreflexiboetara iristea, baina egin ezazu zentzua, horren ordez, misterioa aitortzea eta galdera aberatsak ongietorria ematea... mundu hau eta bertan duzun lekua ulertzera bultzatzen zaituzten galderak.
Hori da IBILALDIA. Eta gaur, zure bizitzako mugarri garrantzitsu honetan, oinez sartu zara eta oinez aterako zara. Pentsamenduaren abiaduratik haratago joatea helburu duen mundu batean sartu ahala, bakoitzak pentsamenduaren abiaduran bidaiatzeak duen garrantziaz gogoratuko duzula espero dut. Espero dut denbora hartuko duzula gure interkonexio bikainak ikusteko. Politak ez diren arren bizitzaren dohain ederrak onartuko dituzula, desinteresaturik maitatzea landuko duzula eta zure izaera sakonena ezagutzen ahaleginduko zarela.
Nire birraitonari buruzko istorio batekin amaitu nahi dut. Aberastasun gutxiko gizona zen, oraindik bere bizitzako egun guztiak ematea lortzen zuena. Goizero, ibilaldi bat egiteko erritual bat izaten zuen, eta oinez zihoala, arretaz elikatzen zituen bere bideko inurri-muinoak gari-irin txikiekin. Orain, hain txikia den mikro eskuzabaltasun ekintza bat da, ezen guztiz arbuiagarria badirudi, unibertsoaren eskema handian. Zer axola du? Garrantzitsua da barrutik aldatu zuelako. Eta nire birraitonaren ontasunak nire aiton-amonen mundu-ikuskera eratu zuen, eta, aldi berean, haien seme-alabengan eragin zuten -- nire gurasoek. Gaur egun inurri horiek eta inurri-muinoak desagertu egin dira, baina nire aitonaren izpiritua oso barneratuta dago nire ekintza guztietan eta haien etorkizuneko oihartzunetan. Hain zuzen, barne-eraldaketa-ekintza txiki, sarri ikusezin horiek, gure izatearen gauzak moldatzen eta partekatutako patuaren arkua okertzen dutenak dira.
Zure ibilaldian, gaur eta beti, begiak inurritegiak ikusteko eta bihotza pozez elikatzeko opa dizut.
Bedeinkatua izan zaitezen. Aldatu zeure burua -- aldatu mundua.
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Thank you for sharing this. May God bless you both.
Wow, amazing, simply amazing talk...you just kept me glued to this narrative as though I was hearing you live, Nipun. Your name is befitting you. It is always about how you can decipher a thought in simple yet effective way so that the recipient of the thought could not only grasp but also transmit it forward. You did that to me. I will never forget the expansion and meaning of the acronym W-A-L-K and would always get reminded whenever I walk. Wishing you all the best in your WALK of life. God bless.
Beautiful article, it was worth reading
Amazing article... When one foot walks, the other rests.I`ll take this forever!
Amazing story. Reminds me of Nanak ji. Sat naam wage guru. We need crazy people like you in this world to make it better, loving and acceptable.
This was a true gift today. An affirmation of thoughts I was pondering just this morning. On my way into work (driving, sadly rather than walking - but at a leisurely pace through a parkway, foregoing the freeway) I was thinking about walking and those that walk for a purpose such as Nipun and his wife, although at the time I was thinking of another walker's story I had just read. I thought of all the books I've read about others' pilgrimages and how my little hikes reveal to me in small ways what others learn on their longer journeys. It came to my mind that if I had the opportunity and time to walk one of these long walks, the Camino, the APT, the PCT, and IAT, I wouldn't be doing it to write a book or to change the world, but I could expect it to change my world vision. If we change our vision, such as Nipun requests, we do change the world, though, don't we?
Amazing speech nipun. It has been amazing knowing about you. It is really shaking selfish and insecure person in me and temping me to start giving - in whatever small way until it becomes a habit. Thanks for showing new way of living.
This is the most insightful and inspirational speech about the adventure of their pilgrimage in India and the lessons learned during this journey. Thank you very much for sharing with all of us.
I will always remember these four key words - Witness, Accept, Love and Know thyself. These four words are like mantra to me to remember and practice all through our day to remind myself about Nipun's insights.
Thank you.
very inspiring and thought provoking article, feel pleaure to read this .:)
Truly inspirational. However, temper your kindness with pragmatism. Feeding wheat flour to ants may be an act of micro kindness but don't try that with snakes. When bit by a cobra, most you can do is to follow the 'A' in the WALK model before turning blue.
Thanks to Nepun Mehta for enlivining each of our life's and sharing your thought with us..........it has greatly moved me and changed my life.....
i was lead here again by the new grad speech .. one of my favorite reads ever still HUGS
I feel myself blessed to read this beautiful article. Though i have read it a lot of times, each time i read it , i learn something new. Thank You :) Its one of the most amazing blogs i have read.
Thanks a lot for sharing.:)
Awe-inspiring and awesome article!!!
Thank you I will carry these thoughts on my daily walks
Nothing new in this article or speech. Its like remaking the older version of a film BUDHA back. Its becoming a fashion for the so called elite saying, " I'm also experienced the suffers". The speaker doesn't know what the real life means so its make him some difference. In B.C Gowtham Budha changed himself from a 4(WALK) incidents.
Modern education system doesn't teach for the mind growing process its only teaching for the industrial market driven process.
Nipun, Both of you are doing greatest job and very few people are devotee like both of you. Both of you have started your journey of SEVA at very young age. Thank you very much for explaining very true meaning of WALK. May God bless you for your long journey for betterment of the people around the globe.
Very productive
Day after day I become more and more certain that there is already enough wisdom out there to make us live a fulfilled and immensely happy life! :) It always boils down to the same: Be mindful, be grateful... Truly BE! And then, when you have yourself sorted out completelly, you realise that it is not about you anymore.
If you analyse the article, or any other inspiring one, you will find that all the takeaway points
can be pretty much fitted in 3-4 categories on the sorts of "mindfulness" "gratitude (take everything as a gift)" etc.). There are lots written about this (From philosophy (I am quite stoic myself :P), to modern works like the book "Flow"... Endless quotes and frameworks (Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues) etc.) Anyway, my point? We have the information! Please let's DO something about all this! There is NO justification for any of us not being fulfilled and happy. :) Let me leave you with a powerful quote on a new comment to illustrate gratitude. Don't be scared about the religious feeling it has... ignore that if you please... just take the main point, the one of gratitude:
Heaven is available to the Muslim and Jew, even to Catholic… heaven is even available to atheist… but often the atheist does not find heaven because the atheist is full of conflict, full of
pushing away. Religions are important… religions are beliefs systems that get people to faith, but faith, faith is trust in life... trust in that anything life brings you is a gift... even when it seems like it is a pile of crap. If you can trust that everything life brings you is a gift, even when it seems as though is darkness and adversity, then you will trust that even death is a gift, because after all... what does life bring everybody eventually but death... and if you can trust that even death is a gift... then surely... you will go to heaven. If you can trust that everything life brings you is a gift... if you can really chose to have faith... then you remove your heart from anxiety, from stress, form conflict... and you replace it with peace, creativity and acceptance... then you have found heaven on earth. (Brother David Steindl Rast )
Compare with a quote from your article "When the things around you are seen as gifts, they are no longer a means to an end; they are the means and the end"
Similar right? We have it sorted! Let’s do something about it!
Antonio
[Hide Full Comment]@antoniogbo
still Re-reading. Kudos Nipun for enlivening others.
GREAT........INSPIRING........ my husband introduced this to me and what....enjoyed getting shaken up.....very thought provoking.
Respected Sir,
I wish I could walk like Budhaa,Shankaracharya, SRI Gandhiji, SWAMI Vivekanandji , ACHARYA Tulsidasji or like you with an empty hand.
A courageous advanture for a person like uou.
WITH REGARDS-gdshah
Some people are brave ~ courageous ~ blissful. Nipun is among those and they pull others and show the way that generosity is possible and not linked to the wealth you own.
Really blessed after reading it and wish many will get blessed and not just inspired.
Thanks ...Gopal
This highlights the depth of simplicity. We have things so backwards.
This has been in my mind for over a month and finally I blogged on it. http://everydaygeeta.blogsp....
Thoughtful and inspiring are the words that come to mind. Thank You.
I loved this piece very true especially when he says
make it a point, instead, to acknowledge mystery and welcome rich questions ... questions that nudge you towards a greater understanding of this world and your place in it.
many of us do not know our place in this universe feeling that we are minute hence dont care less
brilliant and thoughtprovoking even at my seventies. This is what our ancestors did walking from Kanyakumari to badrinath in the himalayas and had this ennobling experience
narasimhan
Very beautiful speech that reminded me to take life easy and embrace it. I received clarity on my confusion regarding, "Accepting what is given vs Need to grow" Thank you for that. My eyes welled up in tears for the act of giving water by the lady who walked for 10 KMs to fetch water. The importance of silence was beautifully expressed in the line: "A melody, after all, can onle created with the silence in between the notes.
Am blessed to know you, Nipun, and call you a friend. Many bows...Marsha
Such profound advice can only come from a heart and mind of one who has experienced the richness of life way beyond the rat race and aggressiveness found in this materialistic world! I hope the Class of 2012 of UPENN are indeed moved to follow it!!
It is simple yet soo deep! Thank you for motivationg the future generations!
Truly inspiring. A fantastic piece, every single word coming out of deep experiences.
It tells us again the the real India lives in our villages. It reminds all of us that we can be happy by simply loving, giving, being kind, accepting life as it unfolds, and always look within.
The best line was perhaps, do not go through life, grow through life.
Hats off to Nipun and his wife.
We pray to our beloved AMMA to shower Her blessings to both of them, and pray for all success in all their endeavours.
It is absolutely beautiful, had tears of 'love' in my eyes-----
Veena Kapoor
Truly inspiring..
thanks i wont fly i will walk
Amazing article!!an eye opener to most of us who have have not realised the art of submitting,giving,receiving,unconditionally.
Just a couple of questions (without malice)...did Mr Mehta wing his way back to the safety and comfort of the US after his walk? Second, he has not written his wife's name or how she reacted to the walk. (or, are we supposed to know her only as his wife, and nothing else)?
very inspiring indeed . an eye opener for me . thanks for sharing your thoughts & experiences
Excellent work Nipun,
It proves your name............one who is Nipun in enjoying life. May God bless you to inspire people.
( Nipun can be translated as Kushal............but not very exact)
One word sums it up - Brilliant. You are a true change agent Nipun and the world desperately needs people like you to bring about spiritual transformation and peace. What a touching and inspiring experience and so beautifully articulated. I sincerely hope and pray that our politicians draw a leaf from your chapter.(wishful thinking perhaps but nonetheless)... Kudos and a big thank you for this wonderful article...
This is so enlightening
Nipun what an amazing and an inspiring message to the young generation,it has deeply touched me.
As a speech, it is touching ! However is it suitable to the audience- I would say- NO.
The young graduates who has spent their hard earned saving to be graduate - and we are teaching them not to be ambitious but be contented , not aggressive but considerate, not game changer but game player- this sounds alright after you have lived life, understood and experienced its invincibility-but not to the young graduate whom we need to encourage to go and conquer the world...
While I salute Nipuns' selflessness, his sagely advice, I strongly disagree to his teaching these to the young guys and sucking out their enthusiasm for the life yet to start.
Truly inspiring. Realised what enormous wealth I have -my mind and the ability to walk. It is absolutely fantastic that a person can have such a clear thinking while delivering a speech! Blessed are those who had the opportunity to hear / read these wonderful thoughts.
CK Chandrasekharan
What a beautiful speech! My friend Asheesh shared this with me, and I am so glad I read it. Truly an inspiration for me in my life. I recently had the honor of delivering the student keynote speech at my own MBA graduation from the Penn State Smeal College of Business, and it was centered on a story of walking as well. (If you are interested, here is the link: http://slidesha.re/KQzLRl)
You have shown the wisdom and beauty of accepting the only pace that you can take for a journey that cannot be run. Thank you!
Feed the ants. Don't just go thru life, Grow thru life. W.A.L.K. Thank you for sharing this meditation.
Amazing.....its most important to be "grounded"......bravo !
It is highly motivating. This made to ponder the inner and come out with peaceful state of mind.
Ajayakumar.P
Wow, I like the way speaker's experience is brought out. An encouraging speech!!!
wonderful!
There is much to be learned by merely breathing into the Spirit we all have within our hearts and asking to be lead. Of ourselves we can accomplish nothing. But, letting go of past and future and following that inner voice's words, directions, and feelings will lead you to insights that our hard to believe. Try it. Breath deeply within the heart and say: Of myself I can do nothing. Please guide me, give me your words, thoughts and feelings. Then without trying of thinking, just listen and follow the guidance. It seems to be leading you nowhere but trust and you will find what seems impossible.
That was an amazing speech Nipun! I always love hearing tidbits about your pilgrimmage and the wisdom in your words helps me to remember that I need to stop and enjoy my surroundings. Hope you and the wife are doing well :)
I agree that this is a fantastic article, would love to have been there to hear it in person.
I think everyone can be guilty sometimes of not taking time out to appreciate the wonderful things that fill our world, and more often or not the most simplest of things.
If we all change the way we treat ourselves and the world, eventually every person on this planet would become the happy and content person they seek to be.
Very ennobling speech. One is reminded of the Venerable Sage of Kanchi (Paramacharya) who followed the illustrious path of Adi Sankara in a walkng pilgrimage across India. He too wished to witness the nobility of the people of our countryside, who have so much to teach us. He in turn also blessed them with his compassion to help them face the harsh realities of life.
Very inspiring... Very Touching..
It is very inspiring and thought provoking.....You are truly blessed to experience thing that you only read in books. Your stupendous desire to experience the greatness of simple things in life this way is truly amazing.
That was really amazing talk. Took me a while to read it line by line but really mind blowing and inspiring.
Another comment disappeared before I replied. Well, I can't say what hurt the feelings of the Asian Culture is true or directed to them. It was meant for a short time punishments to the woman, thief and money launderer in a swift way as words and sentences would tell authorities---what?
Second reason, was to return the money to the needy beneficiaries or to the careless donors.
That is why I sympathize for looking someone who demonize a certain community who had no stakes with me. I was fool for that.
Hats off to you, Mr. Mehta! The article is simply Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing.
Beautiful. Mt Gandhi discovered. True india is found. Wish our Political leaders in India read and learn to WALK.
Thank you too.
This has come at an intersection in my life, today is the beginning of a new walk for me. Thank you
That was so beautiful. In this world when goodness is viewed sceptically ( read secret agenda), this was an endorsement on being human.
Heartwarming!! Thank you for sharing the joy and spreading the message.
W-A-L-K= witness always, like a kid
Let us walk and even own it...just need how-easiest way of making it heaven.
Fantastic article , written with utmost sincerity and honesty; two items which are becoming rarer and rarer every day in the rat race for materialistic progress and so called achievements!! An open look in to the broader throbbing world and trying to live in it with true participation can make us all Walk Taller literally and make this earth itself a heaven. Humility, compassion, optimism and belief in self and utmost modesty ; all these shine like gems in this article. I am made aware now, that I lack these and I bow my head and thank you immensely for firing my imagination with this spark to help me become a humble human being with a better heart and to lead a purposeful life. Thanks once again
Very inspiring article. Next time i take my morning walk i will remember what walk means.
I am delighted to have read the passage on W-A-L-K. I am deeply touched
Humbling !!!
Thank you too. truth is only thing I can offer...name a topic you would like.
Thank you for sharing......the world's desperate for the truth!
AMAZING !! INSPIRATIONAL !! SIMPLY GREAT !!
Well, projects are as many as stars. If people looking innocent don't appreciate then there they are. Because the work is about compassion and grounded is nature
Truly humbling and intensely inspirational!
You have epitomized the essence of our ethos and underpinned the importance of staying sanely and steadily grounded.
Thank you for shared wisdom
Thank you for sharing your story, experience and learning.
wish i had heard this talk when i graduated!! in deep gratitude for this talk...
Awesome
,it sums up what it is to be a loving christen.It is simply Christ's teachings no matter what your faith is. this should always be a reminder what life is meant to be,should we at times forget.
I walked many times and enjoyed travels but mine were planned unlike the couple.
I remember visiting my brother who is legsless and back the bus punctured one of its legs. I and two others went into the forest to see what it hosts. We came back to only find the bus left us. We walked about 4 hours in Masaai highlands and unlike other other communities, Masaai have a strict culture. We needed water badly and it already got dark. Only costume and leaves on my head and thighs, I got close to where they were celebrating on firewoods. Their leader who held a flame on his hand was impressed and I called my friends who were nearby. We were given water and milk. I don't costumes but my need of water forced me. So I learned cultures are very different where ties on some cultures are disguised. I also learned if one lives in slums he should look a slumdog like I am now. I can tomorrow be an urban dog. My experience on different cultures strengthened my ability of Human Engineering.
Though I believe I mastered Africans' way of life, I tried to see how westerners can be comforted. Some town tourists didn't return greetings as as they kept distance looking wary, so I thought I was discomforting them. I still feel that it would be great to meet one and impress. And Change is worked out. One student I once influenced his education promised me something very great 2days ago. So, I can tell priceless tags are sometimes greater than priced items. Though my facial outwards are not very interesting for first time am really honest. When I saw most people corrupted, crimed, harmful and non-punished I thought resorting and later re-correcting. Resorting for important celestial and earth change should not damage my name to open websites, social pages, create awareness against terrorism and improve social understandings which will lead religion and culture tolerance among all. Best known to adults or wise people am not doing all these things to clean my name from previous cases or because of way out of poverty. I may have made some statements telling people "here is the cash key" I may say that because of many reasons for:
1. Some people get motivations only when money involves.
2.Some people only respect when money is talked.
3.People's attentions can be gained
4.people will be productive and supportive.
Well, for me and my NGO which is the core of the changes need funds as the only way of achieving simplest change to set off. Imagine pals, I am to build a website from my store and countless people spread rumors against me saying I am an agent of Non-muslims where these accusations alone can be not only deadly but also assassinations. Still even didn't receive a penny and fewer people who would back me in case are to disbelieve me. You can then see how brave I am to disregard them and move forward. I need backings and change is here sirs and madams. This is Noor saying some truth out to wise men and women.
[Hide Full Comment]Very inspiring speech, with a great vision , the facts were simple yet thought provoking,
Hope to meet this lovely couple sometime in my life
Chandra Natarajan
Thanks
what a gift to the graduates! Bless you both.
Thank you. It is beautiful.
I've not read something as amazing as this in a long long time...u've deeply touched my heart & my sensibilities & given me new eyes with which to see the world....i salute u for having the courage to do what u wanted to & not give in to the monotony & average-ness of this materialistic world which frowns on everything new...but ur convictions have given me new hope that life can be lead from the heart....thankx again
Nipun. It is with the humble-est spirit, to thank you for your joy in sharing all that binds us together. Peace.
Dear Nipun
Thanks for sharing
Thank you Nipun, for continuing to be an inspiration, for truly making a difference in the world one step at a time, one being at a time, and in the ripples who knows how many are touched. My heart is full with gratitude at knowing you and Guri -
"It is precisely these small, often invisible, acts of inner transformation that mold the stuff of our being, and bend the arc of our shared destiny." What a beautiful commencement address. Thank you :)
thank you my friend. i'm glad to be at "one".
Thank you for sharing, inspiring and being the change. :) beautiful and touching to the soul.
Absolutely marvellous!Sets you thinking and change direction.
Deeply moving!
Very beautiful. Namaste--Peace, Love, Connection to All.
Nippun, thank you so much for posting this and sharing your journey. The Daily Good keeps me grounded, like a kite with a steady hand guiding it through the air.
Blessings, Nipun.
In 1970-71 my husband and I took a trip from Spain to India. Although we did not walk we travelled slowly getting to know the people and we were regularly invited and treated well by almost everyone. The experience changed my entire world view as I saw how some people could uncomplainingly make something out of nothing; in contrast to the attitudes of my fellow countrymen (US).
Wow.. It takes lot of courage to WALK, but the love that has filled in you couple is so true and pure.
I wish Both of you keep growing with your years together.
Thank You for being so true and kind...)
Every word is so grounded and so beautiful.